TGV aller-retour - Buy it here or there?
 

Any TGV train travel experts out there? I need to travel from Paris to Tours via TGV. Some questions:

1. Should I buy my ticket online before I leave the US or wait until I get to Paris? Pros or cons? Is it cheaper the farther in advance I buy? Do you retrieve your online purchased ticket at a kiosk or the like when you arrive at the station?

2. Even though my return trip to Paris is 5 weeks out, is it possible (and/or cheaper)to buy aller-retour?

Thanks for any help anyone can provide. I have only done day trips from Paris, buying tickets as I go.

Just wait and buy it in Paris. I just bought my TGV ticket for Paris to Arles (via Avignon) and there were no problems securing the ticket the day of. I got to the station 1 hour before my departure and that was enough time.

I would suggest checking the train schedule before leaving the U.S. (scnf.com) and printing out the Paris-Tours schedule, with the specific time(s) you would like. (I usually mark 1st choice, 2nd choice, 3rd choice) and then you have something in mind beforehand and can plan your trip around that. I found the train schedules I printed out 1 week prior to going to be 98% the same (no change) when I got there, so it was easy and convenient for me to plan around those. You can hand the preferred schedule (print out) to the ticket window agent - it couldn't get much easier than that! Re: your return, I would wait on getting that portion of your ticket until you actually are ready to return to Paris. The tickets aren't that much cheaper, and IMO, better to wait until you are 100% certain on your return date before purchase.

If you are able to find a "prem" fare on-line for the date and route on which you wish to travel, it will indeed save you money over waiting to purchase after you arrive. These are essentially limited-availability advance fares at discounted rates, available only on-line. They are non-refundable and non changeable, much like a rock-bottom airfare ticket. You print them out right on your computer and use the printout as your ticket.

If you type "prem AND fare" into the text box at the top of this page, you'll pull up many threads explaining the entire on-line booking process in great detail.

Hi crepes,

If you have time you might consider a regular train from Paris-Austerlitz for 25 euro. The same date I picked next month just for comparison had the TGV from Montparnasse for 35euro. Each of these was one way. The TGV takes about 1:20, the slower train takes an hour longer at 2:20. If you happen to be staying close to Austerlitz it might save you a few more euro in cab fare.

Personally I prefer the slower train. It goes down to Orleans and follows the Loire north bank into Tours. You go by Blois, Amboise and other little towns on the way.

If you try for a Prem fare they go on sale 60 days ahead of time with all the other tickets. You'll want to count back 60 days, adjust for the time difference and be looking for them at 6:00am France time the day they go on sale. They can go quickly. I've watched them disappear right under my nose as I debated an hour whether or not to get the prems.


To answer your questions:

1. If you miss the prems fare there doesn't seem to be a price difference whether you buy an hour or 30 days in advance. If you buy on-line you can print them out at home.

2. I've never noticed much of a price break for a round trip ticket. I checked Paris to Tours on the slow train and the RT ticket is 12 euro less than the 2 one-ways. You have to buy a "discovery stay" fare to get it that requires a Saturday night to pass before you can return. I've checked and can't tell if the "discovery stay" is an exchangeable ticket or if it's like the "prems." Use it or lose it.

I've never seen a PREMs fare to Tours -I think they are mainly for the longer runs.

I would also recommend you take the regular train at least one way - it will save you money and is a pretty ride. If you want the experience of riding the TGV, buy a one-way TGV ticket and do the other leg on the regular train

thanks everybody - you always come thru! I like the idea of the slower train as I have never done that route before. I wasn't sure about the price thing. I was thinking it might be like The Train Line in England where buying online in advance can save pretty substantial amounts on most fares.